The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting — to be held the week of November 9-13 – will feature a broad selection of “knowledge sessions” on everything from autonomous vehicles or AVs to communicating the value of transportation investments to the public – especially in the post COVID-19 environment.

The registration link for AASHTO’s virtual annual meeting is also now live.

Although expectations for AVs become more realistic in terms of technical challenges, capabilities and deployment horizons, it still remains a matter of when, not if, AVs will be in regular use.

To that end, a November 10 knowledge session will highlight states that have established AV offices, their mission, programs and activities; and what state departments of transportation can offer the private sector in terms of supporting AV testing efforts.

Another knowledge session on November 10 will delve into a new report – entitled Communicating the Economic and Quality of Life Benefits of Transportation Investment: New Approaches for State DOTs – to highlight ways state DOTs can improve their ability to communicate the value of transportation by focusing on what is most important to the public.

A special “spotlight session” on November 10 will explore how state DOTs are incorporating the fundamental pillars of civil rights – equity, diversity, and inclusion – throughout their respective agencies and programs.

As part of that session, the Federal Highway Administration and Conference of Minority Transportation Officials will provide national perspectives and highlight initiatives to assist DOTs in advancing this critical work.